Skip to main content
What UK Thinks

What UK Thinks

By What UK Thinks team

Welcome to the What UK Thinks podcast with Sir John Curtice, a series looking at public attitudes towards what the UK's relationship with the European Union should look like.
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

The 2021 elections in review

What UK ThinksJun 11, 2021

00:00
35:52
The Northern Ireland Protocol and the 2022 Assembly elections with Prof Katy Hayward

The Northern Ireland Protocol and the 2022 Assembly elections with Prof Katy Hayward

Sir John Curtice, Ian Montagu, and Alex Scholes are joined by Katy Hayward, Professor of Political Sociology at Queen's University Belfast and Senior Fellow at the UK in a Changing Europe programme. They preview the upcoming elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly, discuss the nature of the Northern Ireland Protocol, and analyse the continuing influence of Brexit on the political landscape in Northern Ireland.

Apr 28, 202243:07
The British General Election of 2019 with Rob Ford and Paula Surridge

The British General Election of 2019 with Rob Ford and Paula Surridge

As we enter the festive period and mark two years since the 2019 UK general election, Sir John Curtice and Ian Montagu are joined by guests Professors Rob Ford and Paula Surridge – two of the authors of the newly-published authoritative account of that ballot, ‘The British General Election of 2019’ – to discuss the impact of Brexit on the campaigning strategies of the major parties, how debates around Britain’s future relationship with the EU affected the outcome of the election, and whether the new political map that emerged as a result of the vote looks likely to last.

Dec 21, 202141:60
Where do we stand now on Britain’s relationship with the EU?

Where do we stand now on Britain’s relationship with the EU?

Sir John Curtice, Ian Montagu, and Alex Scholes take a look at the latest polling on attitudes towards the EU and assess how best to measure the current balance of opinion on Britain’s relationship with Europe. They also discuss whether the recent allegations of parliamentary sleaze might have any impact on attitudes towards Brexit, analyse some of John’s recent research on attitudes towards immigration, and examine some of the factors affecting public trust and confidence in government.

Nov 15, 202133:37
The 2021 elections in review

The 2021 elections in review

Sir John Curtice, Ian Montagu, and Claire Elliott take a look at what the outcome of the elections that took place across Britain on 6 May can tell us about the continuing influence of Brexit on the political landscape in the UK. They examine the breakdown of the vote across England, Scotland, and Wales, discuss whether the results highlight a broader realignment of British electoral politics, and consider the implications of the outcome for the future direction of the Labour party.

Jun 11, 202135:52
Are voters happy with the Brexit deal?

Are voters happy with the Brexit deal?

Sir John Curtice, Ian Montagu, and Claire Elliott look at how the Brexit deal reached between the UK and the EU stacks up against public expectations, and whether Remain voters or Leave supporters might be happier with the result. They also examine Labour's stance on the agreement and what this might mean for their future electoral prospects, and discuss John's latest work on what people want from post-Brexit public policy in the UK.

Jan 08, 202128:18
Are we still divided over Brexit?

Are we still divided over Brexit?

More than four years on from Britain's decision to leave the EU, Sir John Curtice, Ian Montagu, and Claire Elliott look at whether the divides that emerged between Remain and Leave voters following the 2016 referendum remain in tact. They also examine public attitudes towards a no-deal Brexit, and discuss the current relationship between Brexit vote and party preference.

Nov 20, 202031:30
Brexitland: A guided tour

Brexitland: A guided tour

Sir John Curtice and Ian Montagu are joined by Professors Maria Sobolewska and Rob Ford, authors of 'Brexitland: Identity, Diversity and the Reshaping of British Politics', who take us through the long-term social and demographic developments that have gradually reshaped British society and contributed to the UK's vote to leave the EU.

Oct 15, 202033:36
The political consequences of the Brexit process

The political consequences of the Brexit process

Sir John Curtice, Ian Montagu, and Alex Scholes discuss two chapters in the latest British Social Attitudes report which cover the political consequences of the Brexit process for levels of trust in government and interest in politics, and how people feel the UK government should approach specific areas of public policy post-Brexit.

Oct 07, 202033:01
Public perceptions of Boris Johnson's handling of Brexit

Public perceptions of Boris Johnson's handling of Brexit

Sir John Curtice, Ian Montagu, and Alex Scholes discuss voters’ assessment of Boris Johnson’s performance on Brexit during his first year as Prime Minister. They also take a look at what we know about public opinion on a no-deal Brexit, and highlight how the Remain-Leave divide continues to impact party politics.
Sep 08, 202024:40
The impact of coronavirus on the Brexit process

The impact of coronavirus on the Brexit process

Sir John Curtice, Ian Montagu and Alex Scholes discuss what impact the outbreak COVID-19 has had on attitudes towards Brexit, whether people feel that the UK's transition period should be extended, and whether the coronavirus pandemic might affect the government's plans for the UK's post-Brexit immigration policy

May 04, 202032:06